Mel Gibson lauds Australian talent and professes love for meat pies on Sydney set of new film

Actor Mel Gibson is back in Australia for his first directorial effort in just under a decade, and admits he is overwhelmed by the talent available Down Under and excited to eat meat pies again.

Gibson is in the country filming Hacksaw Ridge, the true story of World War II soldier Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who refused to carry a weapon or kill enemy combatants and was later awarded the Medal of Honour.

The actor spoke with Channel 9 Entertainment Editor Richard Wilkins about the film and said he enjoyed being behind the camera more than in front of it.

“Directing is the most fun you can have standing up,” he joked.

“And it satisfies my megalomania tendencies.”

Gibson, who moved to Australia with his parents when he was 12, had only good things to say about the talent available in Australia, and said he reluctantly had to knock keen actors back.